FLOWERY BRANCH - Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking sneered at the question:Is the surprising success of the Falcons and the NFC South the result of playing teams from the lowly AFC West and NFC North? If not, what explains the teams' combined 22-2 home record, easily the best in the NFL?

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons are becoming more than a feel-good comeback story. With wins in six of their last eight games, the Falcons are an unlikely playoff contender one year after their 4-12 finish.

ATLANTA - Michael Turner handled the power game, lowering his head and ramming into would-be tacklers time after time. Harry Douglas turned up the speed, finishing off Carolina with an electrifying dash to the end zone.

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons on Thursday released running back Steven Jackson, who in two seasons with the team couldn't recapture his 1,000-yard form that made him one of the league's top backs with the Rams.